Compressive Strength

For many insulation applications (including cryogenic and low-temperature tank

bottoms, insulated pipe supports and hangers, underground pipe vessels, parking
decks/plazas, roof applications and docks), superior compressive strength
performance is a prerequisite. Here, strength is required both in the line of duty itself and in order to
withstand external mechanical abuse, such as foot or vehicular traffic.

PROBLEMS

• Tanks

In low-temperature and cryogenic-temperature tank bottom applications, insufficient insulation

compressive strength can lead to unacceptable settling. This can result in loss of thermal
efficiency, ground heaving and foundation temperatures falling to levels that may cause major
failures. And if the settlement is uneven, the steel bottom may rupture and spill the tank's
contents.

For high-temperature tank bottoms, poor insulation compressive strength leads to settlement and
thermal performance loss which interferes with a stable environment, causing loss of viscosity
control or solidification of the contents.

• Digester

Without reliable, structurally supportive insulation, semi-underground conical digesters working at

medium temperatures will settle, lose thermal efficiency and disrupt the stable digester
environment.

• Floors

For industrial floors requiring thermal insulation, heavy equipment/machinery loads and vibration
or vehicle and foot traffic can seriously compromise the performance of non-load-bearing
insulations and lead to unbalanced equipment and process disruptions.

• Underground Insulated Systems

High compressive strength is mandatory for direct burial of insulated pipes and vessels without
additional structural support. When properly designed, these applications permit above-ground
traffic without any negative effect on the system.

• Pipe Supports and Hangers

An insulation material which has a high compressive strength enables the designer to eliminate
potential problems. Direct thermal short circuits can be totally avoided or substantially reduced.
Geometrical changes in the steel pipeline, occuring as the result of settlement or failure of the
insulated pipe supports, can also be avoided. This reduces the possibility of significant stress on
the pipeline, particularly at nozzles, flanges and fittings.

• Live Loads

Pipelines and the tops of spheres and domed tanks are subject to "live loads"—foot traffic,
ladders, impact loads and other severe mechanical abuse. These loads can create jacketing
gaps or cause damage to vapor barriers permitting water and water vapor to enter the insulation
system, reducing thermal efficiency and causing potential corrosion.

• Roof Decks

On fluted, metal decks, equipment dead loads and foot traffic cause insulation boards to fracture,
splinter and degenerate, severely compromising the structural integrity of the boards. This can
result in split and ruptured membranes.
• Self-Supporting Walls

Insulation in the walls of many industrial buildings, and in some types of chimney construction,
must have the mechanical strength to support itself. Walls of storage facilities also require
flexural strength to resist wind pressure between the supporting structural members. Without
these inherent strengths, the insulation system will collapse.

• Deformation vs. Compressive Strength

Compressive strength is a measure of the stress at which a material fails under load, while
deformation is structural distortion of the material, with or without actual failure. For foamed
plastics, fibrous and calcium silicate insulations, compressive strength is typically measured when
deformation reaches 5% to 25% of the thickness (dependent on the test method used).

The result of reporting compressive strength at a percentage of deformation (and at various

insulation densities) puts the onus on the specifier to determine which deformation data most
accurately reflects the real application at hand. Because of the substantial deformation of foamed
plastics in service, especially with today's thicker insulation systems, additional engineering
considerations must also be taken into account. Otherwise, connections, flanges, etc. may be
subject to stresses and potential ruptures.

COMPRESSIVE STRENGTHS OF VARIOUS MATERIALS

Insulation Material Compressive Strength
psi kPa
FOAMGLAS ® Insulation 100 689
Polyisocyanurate 15-30 @ 10% def. 207
Polystyrene 10-45 @ 5-10% def. 310
Phenolic 22@10% def. 152
Fiberous Glass 2.3@10% def. 16
Mineral Fiber 10@10% def. 69
Calcium Silicate 100@5% def. 689
Perlite 90@5% def. 620

• Effects of Time and Temperature on Compressive Strength

The specifier should be aware of the potential adverse effects of long-term creep and strength
variations caused by high temperatures.

German studies on foamed plastics by H. Zehender have shown that for phenolics and
urethanes, compressive strength at 10% deformation is reduced by more than 50% with a
temperature increase from 68°F to 266°F (20°C to 130°C). The reduction is even higher for
Polyvinylchloride (PVC) foam.

In other Zehender tests of temperature influences over time, polyurethane foam under a
moderate 3 psi (0.2kg/sq.cm) load at 266°F (130°C) exhibited thickness deformation of up to 10%
after 75 days.

Because deformation and strength reduction can seriously affect performance, higher
engineering safety factors are generally assigned to cellular plastics and fibrous materials.
SAFETY FACTORS
• Effects of Load Direction

Another influence which can affect an insulating material's compressive strength is the direction
of the load in relation to the foaming direction. This is particularly important with foamed plastics.

Published data for urethane foam (with densities from 1.8 to 2.3 pcf 28.8 to 36.8kg/cubic m)
indicate a compressive strength of 34 psi (2.4kg/sq.cm) parallel to the foam rise and 23 psi
(1.6kg/sq.cm) perpendicular to the rise. For phenolic foam (2.2 pcf/35kg/cubic m), it is 25 psi
(1.8kg/sq.cm) parallel to the rise, versus 14 psi (1.0kg/sq.cm) perpendicular.

SAFETY FACTORS
Compressive Strength (PSI)
Insulation Safety Factor_ Nominal_ Practical_
FOAMGLAS ® Insulation 3 87-1754 29-58 4
Foamed Plastics 4 22-45 5.5-11
(ambient)
Foamed Plastics 8 22-45 3-5.5
(to 140°F/60°C)
Fibrous Materials 4 2.5-10 0.6-2.5
Perlite Insulation Board 4 90-100 22.5-25
1. Source: I. Sauberbrunn, "Industriefussböden," International Colloquium for Industrial Floors, 1987.
2. From Previous Tables.
3. Compressive Strength Adjusted for Safety Factors.
4. For flat block capped per ASTM C240.

• Grades of FOAMGLAS® Insulation

FOAMGLAS ® insulation is available in seven grades—all offering substantial levels of

compressive strength. From 87 psi in FOAMGLAS® insulation to 232 psi in FOAMGLAS®
insulation HLB 1600, you can make the right compressive strength decision by choosing
Pittsburgh Corning FOAMGLAS® insulation.

DENSITY AND COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH

Grade of FOAMGLAS® Insulation HLB Nominal Lot Avg. Compressive Strength
Insulation Density (Tested According to
ASTM C-240/C-165)
Average Lower Spec. Limit
Kg/m3 pcf N/mm 2 psi kg/cm 2 N/mm 2 psi kg/cm 2
HLB 800 120 7.5 0.80 116 8.12 0.55 80 5.6
HLB 1000 130 8.1 1.00 145 10.15 0.69 100 7.0
HLB 1200 140 8.7 1.20 174 12.18 0.83 120 8.4
HLB 1600 160 10.0 1.60 232 16.24 1.10 160 11.2
Note: 0.8 N/mm_=800 kPa

The FOAMGLAS® Cellular Glass Insulation Solution

FOAMGLAS ® insulation encompasses a wide variety of compressive strength requirements in its diverse
grade offerings. From regular FOAMGLAS ® insulation, through the HLB product line, compressive
strengths range from 65 psi to 232 psi for flat ware capped as per ASTM C-240.

FOAMGLAS  insulation offers the solution to meet all compressive strength needs.